when daddy is home

It was another Family Day Sunday, and it was THRILLING.  And by "thrilling," I mean pretty boring and quiet with a little bit of fun.  Hold onto your seat, it is about to get really exciting here.

Laci took full advantage of having her Daddy home.  The first thrilling event:  putting on her riding pants and helmet and trying out her new motorcycle.

Even when the helmet is too big, it still manages to squish her face.

Mia had to watch from the sidelines.  She was tired and needed a nap, but wasn't exactly cooperative.  She never wants to nap.  She wasn't too happy about being strapped into her stroller.  She also never wants to be strapped into anything, strollers included.

Laci doesn't look happy either, but she was.  She didn't want to stop even though it was super hot and Ryan's backside was sore from riding.

Manly looking on that pink bike, isn't he?

Laci managed to rub both her thumbs raw on the handlebars, so I think it qualifies as a fantastic first motorcycle ride.  It isn't fun without a little pain, right?

Oh, hello random picture of Lunati, whose nose is almost finally healed, by the way.  And yes, Mia got out of her stroller.

To play with the world's most awesome toy, which also happens to be one of the most annoying.  That's why this particular toy lives outside at our house.

Thrilling event number two:  Happy dogs chasing tennis balls.  The picture doesn't show it, but Laci was jumping as much as the dogs were.  It is very exciting to throw tennis balls.  I wouldn't know because I stopped throwing tennis balls for the dogs years ago.  When people come by to visit, we always tell them, "Don't throw things for the dogs."  There are a number of reasons, two of which are the incessant, AND LOUD, barking that accompanies the chasing of tennis balls, and because our dogs are old and will run until they are unable to walk.  They are real smart like that.  Also, people never listen to us.  Our dogs are not only smart, but very persuasive with their big brown eyes and wiggly butts.

Thrilling event number three:  JEEP driving.  It's a shame, but the Barbie Jeep sits in the shop most of the time.  It was after dinner and we needed something to do until bath time.  Enter my great idea to bring out the Jeep.  After quite a bit of whiplash, Laci got the hang of pushing, and continuing to push, the gas pedal.  That is, until they discovered the radio.  In typical girl fashion, she was more concerned with the radio than with looking where she was driving.  Mia also was very concerned with the radio, but you know what scares me more?

The thought that, someday, THIS girl will be behind the wheel.  That is NOT the face of a responsible driver.

The fourth, and final, thrilling event:  Rattle snake in the shop.  Yes, IN THE SHOP.  I did not take pictures. I don't know why.  Maybe because there was a freaking rattle snake in the shop.  He was curled up in the exact location where the Jeep had been parked.  We only knew he was there because the cat had him cornered and he was hissing and rattling like crazy.  He was about 12-18 inches long, and had about five or six buttons.  I'm no expert in rattlesnake aging, but I would say he's been around a little while.  I also don't know how far their mouths open when they strike, so I have no idea if it was the same snake that bit Lunati.  He met his fate with the flat side of a shovel and I've been keeping my eyes peeled more than usual.

That pretty much sums up our Sunday.  We also threw in a little cousin play time, some Chinese food for dinner, and early bedtimes for all.  I don't think it gets any more thrilling than that.